Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Tooth Replacements for Hockey Players

April 29, 2025 by writeradmin

My son is on a hockey team. They just finished their season. However, in the last game he took a direct hit and lost a tooth. We were planning on getting it replaced with a dental implant because I wanted him to have something permanent. However, one of his teammates said that a dental implant is a bad idea in case he gets hit again. What do you recommend? His appointment is coming up soon and I want to make sure he’s getting the right treatment.

Katherine


Dear Katherine,

Dental Implant Diagram

I’m glad you wrote. First, in normal circumstances, dental implants are the absolute best tooth replacement available, so you choose well. I was thinking about his teammate’s comments and believe I have a solution. Go forward with his appointment to have the dental implant placed. Having that implant in there will prevent him from having bone loss in that area.

The part I want you to put off is having the dental crown attached to the implant. If he were to get hit in that area again and the crown was secured to the implant it could cause some bone damage as the implant is ripped out.

Instead, what he needs is a temporary replacement to fit in the space above the implant. You could do a removable partial denture, or even a dental flipper. Either one of those will be inexpensive and provide him with a tooth until he can have a permanent crown safely placed when he’s done with his hockey career.

Thank you for writing about such an interesting problem.
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Filed Under: Dental Implant Tagged With: affordable Tulsa dentist, dental crown, Dental Flipper, removable partial denture, tooth replacement

Emergency Dentist for Gum Injury

April 30, 2019 by writeradmin



We don’t yet have a dentist in this area. We’ve been busy relocating and haven’t had the time. My husband recently complained about an injury to his gums that is swollen. He can’t remember when he did it or what happened, but it looks to me like it resembles a giant swollen pimple. Of course, I know we don’t get pimples on our gums so it must be inflamed from an injury. Will this go away on its own or does he need an emergency dental appointment?

Karen

Dear Karen,

Tulsa emergency dentist

Relocation is stressful, so I completely understand you not getting to finding a new dentist. However, what you described on your husban’s gums doesn’t sound like a gum injury. Instead, I think he has an abscessed tooth. This manifests in what looks like a pimple on the gums.

This is considered a dental emergency, so he will need to see a dentist right away. It means his tooth is infected. These infections can blow up quickly and become life-threatening.

I know you don’t have a dentist right now, but there are dentists who will treat non-established patients in cases of emergencies like yours. You can do an internet search using the term “emergency dentist“.

It’s Important He Doesn’t Put This Off

The tendency for men is to “tough it out” and hope it goes away. This won’t go away. Eventually, the tooth may stop hurting, but that is because the pulp of the tooth will die, That won’t stop the infection from spreading though.

It’s always better to take care of these things sooner rather than later. Better a root canal treatment and dental crown than to need a tooth extraction and replacement.

If the Tooth Can’t be Saved

There’s always a chance, depending on how long this has gone that the tooth can’t be saved. In that case, you’ll need to look at tooth replacement options.

Two of the best are to get a dental implant or a dental bridge. A dental implant is the better treatment, but it is more costly than the bridge.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.



Filed Under: Emergency Dentist Tagged With: abscessed tooth, danger of tooth infections, Dental Bridge, dental crown, dental emergencies, dental implants, gum injury, pimple on gums, root canal treatment, tooth infection, Tulsa Dentist, Tulsa emergency dentist

Can I Charge My Assailant for My Dental Appointment?

March 29, 2018 by writeradmin

I was at a frat party and was assaulted by a guy from another frat. He knocked out one of my teeth. I’m ended up going to an emergency dentist but he couldn’t save my tooth and now I have to have an implant too. Can I charge the guy who caused the problem for these?

Adam

Dear Adam,

Woman with boxing glove hitting man in face

Who Pays for Emergency Dental Appointments When You’ve Been Hit?

First, I’m sorry you were in a fight. That must have put a real damper on the party. A dentist, even an emergency dentist, can only charge the person who received the services unless they’re a minor. I’m assuming because you were at a frat party you’ve reached the age of majority.

This doesn’t mean you can’t get your cost recouped. You have a couple of options there. First, you can see if he’s a young man of integrity. If he is, he’ll be willing to help cover your costs. I’d just talk to him about it. Maybe in the sober light of day, he’ll see things more reasonably.

If he doesn’t take responsibility, you can always take him to court. Normally, in a situation like that, it would be small claims court. However, if you need a dental implant that will go over the limit for small claims court and you would take it to the next level.

When to See an Emergency Dentist

You were smart to go to an emergency dentist when your tooth was knocked out. To have the best chance of saving a tooth, you need to be receiving treatment within 30 minutes of losing the tooth. Also, be careful not to touch the roots of the tooth. Only handle it by the crown. It sounds like you tried to do that. Maybe the damage was just too extensive to do anything.

So you know for future reference, there are other reasons to go in for an emergency dental appointment as well.

  • A Toothache

Usually, a toothache is a sign something is wrong. It can often mean an infection. If you see a pimple on your gums it means the infection has progressed enough where it will require a root canal treatment. Other times it can just mean you’ve got a cavity that is close to the pulp and causing pain. You’ll want to get in as soon as possible to ensure the least invasive treatment possible.

  • A Graying Tooth

If you have a tooth that is turning gray, it means the tooth is either dead or dying. It will become a harbor for bacteria. The sooner you go in and get a root canal treatment and dental crown, the better.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Filed Under: Emergency Dentist Tagged With: dental crown, graying tooth, knocked out tooth, root canal treatment, saving an adult tooth, tooth infection, Tulsa Dentist, Tulsa emergency dentist, who pays for emergency dental care

Can Emergency Dentist Save Tooth Hit by Baseball?

January 13, 2018 by writeradmin

I was playing a game of baseball with some neighborhood kids when one of the balls went flying and hit me in the mouth. I originally thought I was fine because it didn’t bleed or bruise. But this morning the tooth is wiggly and loose. Is there a way to save it or is it toast?

Payson

Dear Payson,

Woman Smiling Text: A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear

It’s very possible your dentist or an emergency dentist if you don’t have one can save your tooth. But two things need to happen for you to have the best shot.

Stop wiggling it.

Your tooth has ligaments that are a bit stretchy, like rubber bands. But, just like rubber bands, if you stretch them too far or too often and they’ll snap or lose their elasticity. This puts your tooth at greater risk.

Get to the Emergency Dentist

You’ll want to get in as quickly as possible. The longer this is left that way the less chance you have to save it. The dentist can stabilize the tooth by using a splint or bonding the tooth to a stable adjacent tooth. That may be all that’s needed. It gives the ligaments time to heal. However, if the pulp of the tooth was damaged, you’ll need a root canal treatment and dental crown.

What if the tooth can’t be saved?

If it’s not possible to save the tooth you have several replacement options. The top of the line replacement is a dental implant. However, if either of the adjacent teeth is in need of a dental crown, then a dental bridge may make more sense.

If both of those options are out of your current budget, you can either find an affordable dentist who’s willing to work with you on payments or get a removable partial denture until you can afford a more stable replacement.

Either way, you need to be seen right away. This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Filed Under: Emergency Dentist Tagged With: Affordable dentist, Dental Bridge, dental crown, dental implants, loose adult teeth, removable partial denture, root canal treatment, tooth replacement options, trauma to teeth, Tulsa Dentist, Tulsa emergency dentist

Did I Crumble a Tooth?

August 12, 2017 by writeradmin

My husband and I are in a disagreement as to whether or not I need an emergency dentist. I think I can wait until my appointment on Tuesday, but he thinks I need to be seen right away. I had a root canal treatment almost two weeks ago. I had a business trip so put off getting the crown. My dentist gave me a temporary filling to hold things over. Everything was okay until dinner last night. I was eating Chinese food and started feeling something grainy. I discreetly reached in and some whitish crumbly material was the culprit. My husband thinks my tooth crumbled. I think it’s actually just the temporary filling. If I’m correct, I can wait to see the dentist, right?

Melinda F.

Dear Melinda,

First, let’s see if we can’t figure out who’s got the right end of the stick. If there’s a way for you to peek at the tooth, do so. If the tooth looks intact, but there’s a hole in the center, then you’re talking about the temporary filling falling out. If there’s any disintegration to the tooth, then you’ve got a crumbling tooth.

If it’s just the filling, you can likely wait until your appointment. You may want to take the precaution of getting some temporary dental filling material. You can find it at many pharmacies. Bear in mind, it’s only meant to be used for a few days. So, keep the appointment you have with your dentist to get your dental crown.

If you wait too long after a root canal, the tooth will become brittle and could end up crumbling as your husband suggested. If that happens, they’ll be nothing to crown and you’ll be looking for tooth replacement options.

On the other hand, if the tooth has started crumbling, the sooner you get in to see a dentist the better. In fact, I’d call your dentist right away and let him not what happened. He’ll want to crown the tooth right away if it’s still possible.

This blog is brought ot you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Filed Under: Emergency Dentist Tagged With: crumbling tooth, dental crown, dental implants, root canal treatment, store bought filling material, temporary filling material, tooth replacement options, Tulsa Dentist, Tulsa emergency dentist

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